Creative

There’s a career for you in Scotland’s thriving creative industry – whatever your interests are. It’s one of Scotland’s most diverse and growing sectors covering jobs such as online video content, advertising, architecture, fashion and textiles and more. 

 

The impact you could make

  • Play a key part in getting creative organisations back on their feet following the impact of COVID-19.
  • If you’re independent, enjoy flexible working or want to work self-employed, apply your skills to a creative role.
  • Take Scottish creative culture global – get to travel and work all around the world.

The opportunities within creative

Many people who work in the creative industry are either self-employed and manage their own hours or work on a contractual basis. This means a creative career would be a great choice if you’re an entrepreneur, value flexibility, love networking and enjoy promoting yourself and your abilities.

Current employment

Employment

There are 102,500 people currently employed in creative businesses across Scotland.*

Job availibility

Job availibility

Between 2022 to 2025 a further ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​7,000 people will be needed to fill job openings in the sector.*

Job diversity

Job diversity

There are 132 Modern Apprentices currently training in Scotland.*

*Skills Sector Assessment 2022

The part of the job that I enjoy the most is properly understanding users and what their needs are. I love going out and talking to people and coming up with solutions that have perhaps never existed before.

Gary

UX Designer

What subjects to take

We’ve pulled together some examples of subjects that could be useful for getting into a creative career.

  • Art
  • Computing
  • English
  • Graphic communications
  • Design and manufacture
  • Creative media FA

For most jobs, you might not need specific subjects. If your school does not provide all of these subjects or you're just unsure — do not worry. There are many more subjects you can explore by using the Option Choices tool or speaking to your careers adviser in your school.

What routes you can take

There are different options you can choose from after school. We’ve pulled together some of them to help you decide which is best for you.

Some things you may not know about creative

Creative

93 billion cubic metres of water is used in textile production each year.

Creative

Almost 1 in 8 UK businesses are creative businesses.

Creative

In the last 10 years, jobs in the UK’s creative industries have grown at 3 times the UK average.

* Britishfashioncouncil.co.uk

* Creativeindustriesfederation.com